Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for St. Peter homeowners. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation companies in St. Peter.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrical contractor or electrician license from the Department of Labor and Industry, along with a residential building or remodeling contractors' license in some cases. If their work is regulated by the state's Mechanical Code, they must carry a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check consumer review platforms like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with installers that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar power can help reduce your electricity costs over time. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in St. Peter has a capacity of 7.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $4,030 per kilowatt; the average St. Peter homeowners spends about $20,040 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for factors such as the size, panel type, and capacity of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, labor, and permit fees.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Solar: 100% exemption from real property taxes
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax
Incentive Amount:
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Natural Gas Furnace Existing Home: $200-$400
Natural Gas Furnace New Construction: $100-$200
Natural Gas Hot Water Boiler: $100-$400
ECM Furnace: $100
Central AC: $150-$450
Tank Water Heater: $75-$500
Tankless Water Heater: $250
Attic/Wall Insulation: 30% of project cost
Air Sealing: $150-$200
Furnaces: $200-$425
Boilers: $125-$400
ECM Motor Furnace Fan: $125
Programmable Thermostat: $10
Heat Pumps: $175-$475
Water Heating: $100-$250
Clothes Washer: $10
Refrigerator: $15
Ground Source Heat Pump: $150/ton
Incentive Amount:
Dishwasher: $35
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Incentive Amount:
Clothes Washer: $25
Freezer/Refrigerator: $25
Dishwasher: $25
Air-Source Heat Pump: $500
Mini Split Heat Pump: $300
Ground-Source Heat Pump: $200 per ton
Air Conditioner: $100
ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor): $50
Electric Resistance Heating Products: $10/kW
Central A/C or Heat Pump Tune-Up: $25
Electric Resistant Heating Products: $10/kW
Incentive Amount:
LEDs: 50% of cost
Light fixtures: 50% of cost
Refrigerators/Freezers: $25 plus $50 for recycling old working unit
Dishwashers: $25-$40
Clothes Washers: $50-$100
Dehumidifiers: $15 plus $10 for recycling old working unit
Furnace Fan Motors: $125
Room A/C: $25, plus $25 for recycling working unit
Central A/C: $100 - $200
Air Source Heat Pump:$100 - $200
Central A/C or ASHP tune-up: $35
Geothermal Heat Pump:$200/ton, plus $25/ton for every 1 EER above minimum required EER
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in St. Peter, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Of course. St. Peter uses an even mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will lower your home's emissions and provide cost savings, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In St. Peter, the average amount someone can save is $1,372 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive bill credits or payments for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
With respect to taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. Regarding insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should consult with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
The best type of residential solar panel depends on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for St. Peter homes. However, if lowering cost is your top priority, then you may want to consider polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When you're choosing a contractor, make sure to ask about the types of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
